like the same thing he experienced when he tried to reach out to Kaylia. A cold chill seized his chest.
Linis had sped off toward the fallen Vrykol. In moments he saw it leaning against the tree, struggling to rise, its cruel sword still in hand. Linis knew he only had seconds before the beast recovered, and rushed headlong, swinging his long knife at the creature’s neck. The Vrykol tried to move away, but Linis was too fast, and the blade severed its head clean. He glanced over to Gewey for a moment and saw him stalking steadily towards the second Vrykol, then listened for the others. He couldn't hear them...anywhere.
Gewey knew then why he was unable to contact Kaylia. Somehow the beasts were able to block him. He tried again to explode the earth beneath the Vrykol, but with the same result.
The soft hiss of evil laughter seeped from within the hood of the Vrykol's cloak. “That only works once, boy.”
“It won't save you,” growled Gewey. He could still feel the flow. He may not be able to use it to destroy the monster directly, but he knew it had no chance so long as the flow still raged within him.
“Perhaps not,” said the Vrykol, its voice was thin and raspy, though clearer than others Gewey had encountered. “But then again, I am not the one that needs to be saved.”
In a flash, the Vrykol charged, its sword held low, almost touching the ground. Gewey stood in a wide stance, and steadied himself for the onslaught. His sword was fire in his hand as the Vrykol reached him and swung its blade upward. Gewey easily dodged the blow and stepped to the side, ready to take the beast’s head. Then, in the corner of his eye he saw a flash; as the creature stabbed at his neck with the other hand, its fingers wrapped loosely around a small dagger. Gewey turned again, but the tip of the blade found flesh, cutting deeply.
Pain shot through Gewey's body, as if burned. He stumbled back slashing wildly, but the Vrykol moved away, just out of reach.
“Arrogant fool,” the Vrykol taunted, twirling the dagger in its hand. “And you hope to challenge my master?”
Gewey felt dizzy and his vision blurred. He struggled to keep his focus on the Vrykol, waiting for it to charge again, but it remained still. He reached up and touched the wound on his neck. Blood poured down, soaking his shoulder. Though the cut was deep, it shouldn't have been bleeding so badly. 'Poison,' he thought, with disgust.
“So frail,” laughed the Vrykol. “So foolish.”
The Vrykol feinted left, then right, throwing Gewey off balance, then swung its sword in a wide arc. Gewey just managed to bring his sword up in time to deflect the blow. He could feel the flow draining from him as the beast pushed forward. Soon he knew he would be defenseless. He tried to counter, but his blurred vision caused him to strike off target each time. A wave of sudden nausea wracked his body, and he fell to one knee. Gewey glared up defiantly, jaw clenched tight.
“You see,” the Vrykol jeered. “You are not even a match for the servants of the Great Lord.” He kicked Gewey's sword from his hand.
Gewey leaned back on his knees and held his head high, readying himself for the final blow. He heard the whip of a blade approach. But instead of feeling the slash of steel, the Vrykol roared with anger, a small dagger protruding from his left shoulder. The beast spun to meet his attacker, but Linis was upon him before it could react. Linis' long knife cleaved off the Vrykol's leg, just below the hip. It toppled back and fell to the ground. Without missing a step, Linis swung again, this time decapitating his enemy. Thick black blood oozed from the wounds, hissing as it touched the soft forest turf.
Gewey smiled with satisfaction and slumped over. The cut on his neck burned with an evil fury. He looked at the head of the slain Vrykol. It was twisted and scorched, but clearly human. Its skin blackened, as the others he had encountered, but not nearly as badly. He thought about how the first one looked and sounded. This one was most certainly...better. Definitely stronger. But why? These thoughts vanished from his mind as another wave of nausea took him. He emptied his stomach with a groan. Linis was at his side in an instant.
“Poison,” Linis spat,